Quite often, the detection and treatment of chlamydia falls on the part of the rheumatologist.

Chlamydia - the disease is so common that it almost does not require an additional description. However, for those who have escaped or have not yet been examined for this sex infection, we will tell a few words.

Consequently, chlamydia is a sexually transmitted disease, the causative agent of which is chlamydia (Chlamidiatrachomatis). Getting infected with this infection is very easy, just one unprotected sexual contact. In addition, the violation of the rules of personal hygiene may spread the infection, even when using a condom. The cases of contamination with the use of contaminated towels, in places of common use (pools, baths) are described in case of violation of the regime of cleaning and change of water.

Children are infected by sick mothers, passing through the birth canal during labor.

Accidental infection with chlamydia can result in infertility and joint pain.

The disease proceeds hidden both in men and women. Very rarely, some white vaginal discharge in women and pain in urination (urethritis) occur in men. Chlamydia is very often a representative of the bacterial infection, when, in addition to chlamydia, trichomoniasis, ureaplasmosis, mycoplasmosis, and gardnerellosis are detected. With a long duration of illness, chlamydia can be the cause of female infertility, as it causes chronic asymptomatic adnexitis and subsequently obstruction of the fallopian tubes.

Chlamydia is detected by accident during the examination. In this case, the usual smear from the urethra or vagina is not enough. Chlamydia analysis is usually paid. In women, besides the traditional gynecological smear, a specially taken smear on chlamydia. Research method - PCR. Another way to detect a disease is to pass a blood test. In the blood, high levels of antibodies to chlamydia are detected. However, the study of blood is not enough indicative, as even in the absence of infection (for example, after treatment), the level of antibodies in the blood to this pathogen may remain elevated.

Now you should stay on the joints. Quite often, the detection and treatment of chlamydia becomes a part of the rheumatologist. For several weeks, and sometimes years, patients "live" with chlamydia and do not know about it. But with an unfavorable background (hereditary predisposition, change in immunity), acute pain syndrome develops in the joints. The most common occurrence between inflammation of chlamydial infection and development of arthritis is 2-3 weeks.

The knee or ankle joint most often suffers, but the joint of the finger of the arm or leg can also be amazed. The disease rarely affects several joints. Usually, in addition to pain and swelling in one of the above-mentioned joints, the patients note pain in the heel, in the region of the Achilles tendon, back pain. If the disease unfolds in the classic version of "Reiter's syndrome," conjunctivitis is observed (eyes turn red, there is a thread, a feeling of sand) and urethritis.

Diagnostic search includes rheumatologic examination: blood, urine, biochemistry, immunology, X-ray of affected joints and pelvis, ultrasound examination of joints. In immunology, an elevated level of reactive protein (CRP), immunoglobulins, and no RF can be detected. The doctor is searching for possible causes of reactive arthritis, in connection with which conducts research on infection of the intestinal and urogenital tract. The result is chlamydia. Modern methods of research allow to sow allocation of a smear of a urethra or a vagina on a special medium. As a result, not only the pathogen is detected, but also its sensitivity to medicinal products is determined.

Reactive arthritis with chlamydia is easily confused with psoriatic arthritis, purulent arthritis and other rheumatologic diseases. In diagnostically complex cases, joint puncture is performed and a synovial fluid is obtained.

Treatment of reactive arthritis - a grateful lesson

Treatment of reactive arthritis is aimed at the elimination of the pathogen. However, the duration of taking antibiotics, as a rule, is much longer than in the treatment of chlamydia as such. Drugs are prescribed for 21 days. To reduce pain, use non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or less hormones. The prognosis of the disease is favorable. Within 6 months, arthritis gradually goes unnoticed. However, in 20% of patients, the pathology becomes chronic or transformed into another disease (ankylosing spondylitis). In this case, treatment is carried out for years. Possible repeated cases of development of reactive arthritis after repeated infection.